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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Written by team member, Shannon Collins:Awhile back Lincoln, Ordinary Hero's field director, shared a story with me about a girl named Etenesh. The story took my breath away. It was harder to hear than any story I have ever heard. I spent days thinking about his words and this girl across the ocean. She needed a sponsor and I knew our family would help. Mark and I talked about her and decided that we would commit to sponsoring Etenesh. We have six children and already sponsor a family in Korah, but we just could not let this girl go.

In June, I traveled to Ethiopia with Ordinary Hero and met Etenesh for the first time. My children, Macall, Brynn and Hudson, all got the chance to meet her too. We spent special time with her. We were able to spend time with her amazing foster family. They have poured love into her and helped her heal. At first Etenesh was timid, but she soon opened up and danced with my girls as they sang Taylor Swift songs in the backseat of the car. Before long, she was sticking her tongue out for pictures and having so much fun.

She would reach for our hand as the trust merged between us. She went to church with us. Etenesh had been hurt and spent many months recovering from surgeries and this was the first time to church in a long time.

We spent an evening in her apartment being prayed over by a friend. It was a holy night and one that we will never forget. All of these experiences connected us. Saying good-bye to Etenesh that last day was difficult. She holds a piece of my heart. We know God has amazing plans for her life as He promises in Jeremiah 29:11. We will walk each step with her!

I urge others to sponsor a child or family. It is an amazing opportunity to open your heart, give hope to someone and be stretched in an incredible way. If you would like to sponsor a child through Ordinary Hero, you can email kblevins@ordinaryhero.org to do so.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

I believe all of us want to see change in the world. Change in the lives of the hurting and the forgotten, the hungry and the orphaned. Some of us may even have names and faces that come to mind. But in order to see real change, the change has to start with us. We at Ordinary Hero believe in the importance and power of one life, and I personally want to invite you on a journey with us to continue changing the world for one life at a time.

If you have followed along with Ordinary Hero the past year, you have seen some amazing miracles taking place in the lives that we are blessed to be a part of and serve in Ethiopia. The number of families sponsored across our communities has more than doubled in the past year, impacting thousands of lives on a monthly basis.

We have reached a huge plateau of need that surrounds us and those we serve. But with the need comes lots of opportunity, and with opportunity comes a chance for all of us to link arms in partnership.

So what is the solution for this need? Monthly Change Partners (and free gifts)

We have re-named our monthly donors to 'Change Partners' and the reason is simple: monthly donors are the reason we get to see change through Ordinary Hero. Every month, our Change Partners receive an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the stories unfolding in Ethiopia that they are making possible.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 in additional monthly support. For all that choose to join us this month in a one-year commitment, we have created many perks to show our appreciation.

Become a Change Partner Today and Receive….

Level 1 - (100 People Needed)

Give $25/month and receive…

Exclusive link to our recently premiered documentary, Ordinary.

1 Ticket to our annual CTWFO Event

Level 2 - (50 People Needed)

Give $50/month and receive…

Exclusive link to our recently premiered documentary, Ordinary.

2 Tickets to our annual CTWFO Event

Level 3 - (25 People Needed)

Give $100/month and receive…

Exclusive link to our recently premiered documentary, Ordinary.

4 Tickets to our annual CTWFO Event

Level 4 - (10 People Needed)

Give $250/month and receive…

Exclusive link to our recently premiered documentary, Ordinary.

10 Tickets (One Table) at our annual CTWFO Event

As we mentioned, every single person that signs up as a Change Partner this month receives an exclusive link to our brand new documentary, Ordinary. This documentary captures our family's summer in Ethiopia, and all that we experienced in an effort to serve those in need in Ethiopia. It also captures the emotional reunion of our adopted son, Nathan, and his mother. This film is the very heartbeat of what we do, and we would love to share it with you.